ROG NUC 970 Mini PC Review

Design

The ROG NUC 970 is larger than most traditional mini PCs, measuring 10.62 x 7.09 x 2.36 inches. Still, it’s far more compact than a typical gaming tower and closer in size to the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT. The size increase allows room for better thermal management and more powerful internals.

The case has a matte finish with subtle ROG branding, and the build quality feels high-end. While not fanless, the cooling solution is tuned well, efficient enough to keep temperatures in check under load without getting obnoxiously loud.

Connectivity is strong. The front I/O features two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an SD card reader. Notably absent here is a front-facing USB-C port. On the back, however, things get more expansive: four USB-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port (with DisplayPort 2.1 support), two DisplayPort 1.4a ports, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE Ethernet, and power input. This setup can support up to four 4K displays, ideal for multitaskers, creators, and streamers.

Features

The NUC 970 is available in configurations with either an RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 laptop GPU, both offering excellent 1080p and respectable 1440p gaming performance. When paired with Intel’s Core Ultra processors and DDR5 memory, the result is a system capable of handling modern AAA titles, content creation workloads, and demanding multitasking with ease.

What makes this machine especially versatile is its port layout and GPU capabilities. Thunderbolt 4 enables high-speed external storage or even eGPU setups (though that’s less necessary given the built-in discrete graphics). HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 also make it future-ready for high-refresh 4K displays.

Cooling is handled well with a dual-fan design, and under typical gaming or work scenarios, fan noise remains reasonable. The overall thermal solution is clearly tuned for performance without sacrificing acoustics.

Storage and RAM options are solid for most users, with up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and 1TB of fast NVMe storage. There’s room for upgrades, but internal access isn’t tool-free, upgrades will require disassembly.

Performance

Performance on the ROG NUC 970 is excellent for a system of its size. In real-world usage, it’s capable of:

• 1080p ultra or 1440p high gaming at consistent frame rates
• Video editing and rendering in tools like Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve
• 3D modeling and game development workflows
• Running four 4K displays for creative or data-heavy tasks

The combination of a Core Ultra CPU and RTX 40-series mobile graphics enables snappy multitasking, AI-assisted workflows, and fast media encoding. Whether you’re compiling code, streaming, or editing 4K footage, the ROG NUC 970 keeps pace.

Thermals are well-managed, and while the fans do ramp up during gaming or rendering tasks, the acoustic profile stays in check. Compared to other mini PCs, especially those with integrated graphics or smaller cooling systems, the ROG NUC 970 is in a different class.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG NUC 970 is one of the most capable mini PCs available today. It’s not the smallest or cheapest, but it’s designed for users who want top-tier desktop performance in a reduced footprint. Between its RTX graphics, Core Ultra CPU, quad-display support, and premium design, it’s a great fit for gamers, content creators, and professionals who value power and portability.

If you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need as much GPU muscle, consider something like the Beelink SER8, it’s more affordable and still capable for general productivity and lighter gaming.

But if you want a premium mini PC with true desktop-class performance and the flexibility to power creative workflows or modern games, the ROG NUC 970 delivers in a big way.